Testimonials

August 2018

"On this trip, I loved myself for the first time, not in spiteof being trans, but because of being trans."

-Will (Age 16)

“

September 2017

The Venture Out Project changed my life. I had forgotten what it felt like to feel comfortable in a group. This is amazing."

-G.E.

"

October 2017

"I think TVOP is awesome. You take great care of folks, feed them well, allow them space and make them feel welcome.I thank you for testing me to my limits and helping me when I couldn't do it alone." - A.P.

"I underestimated how meaningful it would be to be for me to be immersed in an all-LGBT group. I didn't think it was something I needed, but I feel differently after this trip. It was so amazing for me to hear everyone's stories and to be in a group in which I am not the only queer person, which is how I spend so much of the rest of my time. I'm so grateful that this experience has given me a taste of that, and I look forward to finding new ways to incorporate that lesson into my life."

- L.H.

"

August 2017

Being in this space with a bunch of people more like me, it just feels really safe. Out in the woods you get to build relationships that are impossible to create in three days anywhere else."

-L.S.

"

July 2017

To just have people that kind of understand me right off the bat a lot better than other people would and to be able to do things like go swimming with them...that was just such an amazing experience."

-L.P.

"

Perry's workshop provided our student leaders with tools to begin to look at all of our outdoor programs as spaces where everyone belongs. We look forward to welcoming him back to Colby."

-Colby Outdoor Orientation Trips Faculty Advisor

“

June 2017

"Our faculty loved the workshop Perry did with us. Perry created a space for conversation that was safe and let people be honest and vulnerable in ways that really promoted authentic learning. We found his ability to both challenge us and to keep dogma out of the room made a big difference in how much we were able to progress as a group. I couldn't recommend him as a speaker and leader highly enough."

- Simon Holzapfel, Head of School, Darrow School

“

May 2017

Perry's story was honest and relate-able. He helped me to understand the transgender experience not as a queer experience, but as a human one. Perry's talk and workshop had a profound impact on our community. Perry motivated students to be more mindful of the manifestations of privilege and oppression in their everyday lives, and in the wilderness, specifically. Thank you, Perry, for helping us to improve our outdoor programs!"